Attila László

He himself being a jazz guitarist and composer, Attila László is one of the finest representatives of Hungarian jazz. Ever since having finished his studies at the Budapest Conservatory, he has been playing in top-notch jazz bands. In 1975 he formed the band Kaszako, whose characteristic intonations where recorded on the album “Édenkert” (Paradise). He had formed the band “Things” with Tony Lakatos in 1985, which functioned for seven years. During his course of life he had performed with artist such as Anthony Jackson, Randy Brecker, James Moody, Tommy Campbell, Dave Friedman, Gary Willis, Hiram Bullock, Bob Mintzer.Begining 1987 he has been a teacher and head of big band at the Liszt Ferenc Musical Arts University. In 1999 he won the Gábor Szabó “Jazz Life-work” award. Also this same year he had been chosen for Chairman in the Hungarian Jazz Federation, in which position he remained till 2005. He had also won the Leó Weiner award for the “Teaching of Music”, and in 2003 - for his composing work - the Liszt award.He put together his own formation the Attila László Band - which stands close to contemporary jazz - in 1992. Their distinctively intoned music is mostly composed and harmonized by himself, Attila László. On their album “Once upon a time” Kálmán Oláh – the great pianist, also establisher of the band – and some of his attribute compositions may also be heard.In the January of 2004 the Attila László Band made an eight concert tour around USA, where the group introduced itself mostly in jazz clubs and gave a special concert on which the commissioners of the U.N.I.D.O from over 40 countries sat in the rows of audience, listening to their musicAttila László’s compositions take a very fine line in the world of sensitive harmony and pastel –like orchestration, while bearing unbelievable impulse and energy at the same time. The rhythm section often counter-points the themes and harmony frameworks. Sometimes, under the soft tunes a pulsating accompaniment can be heard. This dualism makes this band so individual. When about their music, they take a liking to the phrase “organic jazz”, which tells their music builds heavily upon the personality of the member musicians.The band holds great musicians standing for modern swing, pulsating 8th-note music, and also for styles of native music. In these compositions the musicians create a characteristic and lively music, by forming all these influences into a great whole. All members are exceptional musicians and have all arrived from different musical areas: Kálmán Oláh plays the piano, Mihály Borbély plays on the saxophone and the wind instrument called “tárogató”, Béla Lattmann plays the bassguitar, and Péter Szendofi plays the drums.In the past year a new formation was brought together, the Attila László Quintet, which contributed on the new album, “Just trust”. The members are great talents of the new Hungarian jazz generation: Emil Jellinek (Emilio) vocals, Kálmán Oláh piano, in the rhythm section Gergo Borlai - who pulls the listeners along with him, with his virtuoso drumming - and Attila László’s great musician partner Béla Lattmann – with whom they have being playing together with for twenty-seven years now. Their dynamic, sweeping playing creates a wonderful whole combined with the softer compositions. The intention – in Attila László’s view – is not to “swoon”, but to “liven up” the listener. He has been working with Charlie on his album recordings and concerts as composer and harmonizer for over fourteen years now. But he has also played quite a role in the making of Zsuzsa Cserháti's albums released in the early 90-s.

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